Well, here it is, boys and girls. Autoblogger Chris attended the intro for Lexus new flagship. The fourth generation (has it been that long?) for the LS was introduced by Jim Press, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Toyota Motor Sales (US).
Mr. Press started by pointing out that the LS has been the best-selling prestige luxury sedan for 15 of past 17 years, stating that a 5-year-old LS is more problem free than a brand-new car from "either of the leading German competitors".
The vehicle shown was a model of the LS460L (Long Wheelbase) which is nearly 203 inches.
More pictures and text provided after the jump.
That arch of glass you see is actually made up of champagne glasses, just like the ad from the first LS 17 years ago (when they had the glasses stacked on the hood with the car on)
All-new chassis, reconfigured multilink suspension,etc., continuing the "L-Finesse" styling of GS and IS.
The new LS will have a 4.6L V8, 380hp/370 ft-lbs torque. Engine will have a duel fuel induction system that combines both port and direct fuel injection.
It's the world's first 8-speed automatic transmission.
0-60mph under 5.5 seconds, with EPA mixed mileage in mid-twenties. EPA certified a as Level-2 Ultra-low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV).
Some of the technological features include:
Real time traffic updates on the navigation system (similar to the Acura RL and Cadillac CTS).
Mark Levinson surround-sound with 19-speakers(!) and a hard disc audio server that holds four thousand songs.
HVAC monitors both cabin temp and body temperature. "I've been afraid to ask where that sensor goes, but I'm sure it does a good job".
The LS460L available with rear-seat ottoman package. Passenger side includes a 45 degree recliner with adjustable leg rest and massager, individual DVD player, and hidden cooler like a Maybach.
Self-Park - "Intelligent Park Assist" parks with just a little brake work.
Power parking brake has hill-holder/stop-light anti-rollback feature (like Subaru).
Key is now a 'smart card' that can be left in your pocket while you open the door and start the car.
Electronic Power Steering and "next-generation" Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system - manages electronically controlled brakes (ECB), EPS, VSC (vehicle stability control), ABS, Brake Assist (BA) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution).
More details on the technology of the production version will be provided at the Geneva show. But in April, information on the hybrid V8 LS will be unveiled at the New York show.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
DarkKnight67 @ Jan 8th 2006 8:06PM
Okay ... anybody else see a copy of a BMW 5 or 7 series in there? And a little bit of the new S-class? YAWN!!!
SWAT LAX @ Jan 8th 2006 10:16PM
WOW! I've got to second the BMW imitation comment. The side view - 7 series with 5 series tailights.
On the plus side, the integrated tail pipes are interesting. I like the interior, specifically the steering wheel, more than the IS or GS, and I normally favor the sporting look of 3 spokes as opposed to 4.
There is no way I would spend the money on an S-class instead of this... not that I would know what it's like to drop $80g on a car... sigh... no M5 for me.
WDP @ Jan 8th 2006 10:16PM
DarkKnight67, That's the first thing I thought too. Nice car, but not original.
PSC @ Jan 8th 2006 11:16PM
The question remains .... will there be an armoured version?
ebm14 @ Jan 8th 2006 11:37PM
I see a little Acura, Avallion and 7 series in the design. The back seats seem like a Maybach to me.
Despite these design similarities, I am sure the engine drives the car like a jewel!
David Michael @ Jan 8th 2006 11:56PM
First of all, awesome blog, and great photos. As to my comments, I thought I was going to be original in pointing out how this looks like a BMW, but I see others have beat me to it. The previous Lexus LS looked like the Mercedes S class that was ended in '99. Now with Mercedes doing poorly and having lost their design edge, Lexus is looking to copy the BMW 6 and 7 series. Don't get me wrong; this car looks awesome, and I'd love to own it. Toyota is soon to be the top auto manufacturer in the world, so I guess if copying cars got them there, then so be it.
bgdc @ Jan 9th 2006 1:21AM
Good lord, had Lexus ever designed anything original? Yeah, the first SC300/400. since then they just cobble together bits from MB and BMW. Sad, sad, sad.
I'm sure it's a rock solid car. It's just so lacking in anything remotely original.
BTW, get a load of the G35 coupe...Infiniti should give their boys a raise. I'm stunned at how well they transformed a pretty original into an outright dashing stud.
lucascamacho @ Jan 9th 2006 1:41AM
bgdc is so right. Except for the first SC and maybe the first gen GS, I can't say that I've ever been inspired by any Lexus design (including that damn 'Minority Report' concept they did.) Meanwhile I can think of a couple interesting Infiniti and Acura designs through the years.
Man, as much as I like to make fun of the Chinese design "knock-offs" I've seen lately, it looks like DCX and Toyota ain't doing much better.
Casey @ Jan 9th 2006 2:29AM
The exterior styling may be a tad derivative (although it is consistent with the completely original L-Finesse design language), but no one has mentioned the car's awesome new engine or utterly revolutionary 8-speed automatic transmission. Also, this car has the most beautiful interior of any car in its class. The two-tiered, convoluted German dash design is completely impractical and sterile, but Lexus designers seemed to have created an interior that is as opulent and cavernous as its competitors, but maintains intimacy with the driver.
A beautiful effort that will sell like crazy.
bgdc @ Jan 9th 2006 2:48AM
casey, no doubt it will sell. the 8 speed tranny and the huge 4.6 liter engine do not impress me. the interior, is not my liking. but i've never been a fan of lexus' buick-like interiors. give me cold colors, hard angles and tight leather over soft, spongy seats and woods.
b @ Jan 9th 2006 3:01AM
bmw taillights.
ahh..but I don't give a damn..it's an LS.
Who buys these anyway?
Get the GS.
join @ Jan 9th 2006 4:35AM
Don't get me wrong; this car looks awesome, and I'd love to own it. Toyota is soon to be the top auto manufacturer in the world, so I guess if copying cars got them there, then so be it.
http://www.reterate-romana.com
Travis @ Jan 9th 2006 6:05AM
I think most of you just want to bitch about every nit picky thing! This car is beautiful! Some "smart" person asked who buys the LS, well thousands of people do. Personally, I know probably 20 people who have an LS. And they have almost always gone back for another one when it was time to trade up. The engine is impressive, all of that power in a smaller displacemant than its "competition." and 0-60 in less than 5.5. WOW. Put that in your stein and drink it germans...and all of that beauty on the inside. And im sure it wont even get close to matching the 80K base sticker or a new s-class. I think the s-class and 7 series try way to hard anyhow!
Ken @ Jan 9th 2006 9:17AM
My '95 Lexus starts at -40 with being plugged in. It runs flawlessly ALLWAYS and has yet to be repaired for any reason other than a bulb change in the dash. There are no rattles or other noises yet( 110,000 miles on Northern Ontario's rotten roads). Rave on boys and girls about what looks like what. Lexus gets it right everytime.
DJ @ Jan 9th 2006 9:32AM
Anyone want guess how many batteries this thing uses to power all of the electronics? Yes, it is the first 8-speed, but is it also the first 48 volt powered one too? It's long been rumored that Johnson Controls and others have been working on such systems.
s @ Jan 9th 2006 11:27AM
I dont care if it looks something else. The LS is the bendmark for flagship luxury liners!
THe damn thang can has self parking assistance. BMW, S-class, A8, etc. doesn't have. Plus, it has a hard drive to store 4000 songs.
Toyota is the shit!
Kevin Buchanan @ Jan 9th 2006 11:46AM
Exterior's not bad, just kind of dull and derivitive. Interior looks to be usual Lexus - something nearly everybody loves, but I find nasty and I can't put my finger on why.
I'm sure it'll sell like hotcakes, but I'd never even think about it if I was in the market. Not my thing.
TL @ Jan 9th 2006 1:22PM
You know its funny when lexus debuts a new model anyhting that people can think of is what it looks like first, whereas when BMW or Mercedes debuts a new model people will think of how great the styling is yet they will ignore all the similarities that are shared with competitors. All automakers copy eachothers, yet Lexus has been able to take little things and combine them to actually work unlike Mercedes or BMW with their S-Class and 7 series. The New S-Class is a poor attempt at automotive design and the 7 is a car that stands out too much.
This is a lovely car that I'd take over the new S-Class any day. It looks better from all angles and will probably be priced cheaper too.
Good Job Lexus
steve @ Jan 9th 2006 1:55PM
i like the back but i agree it looks identical to a bmw's. the front i'm not such a big fan of.
to the previous post: what sedan did bmw copy for it's rear end and what did mercedes copy for it's front? those designs look pretty original to me
Phil @ Jan 9th 2006 2:24PM
As an owner of 2 lexus dealerships, I can tell you this is exactly what we have been waiting for. One thing that has not yet been mentioned on this blog is the order which lexus is updating their lineup. They started with the GS, which sold only about %50 of what lexus told us it was going to sell when we dealers voted for the model. They then updated the IS, which is by far the least popular lexus vehicle ever made (for every 10 LS's sold we would be lucky so sell 1 IS)
I personally didn't feel that the LS needed to be updated, as most that would purchase this vehicle aren't really concerned with exterior styling. (reliability is their main concern), but apparently lexus must have felt that an aging flagship model does not do well for the image of a company.